Hydrangea plant named ‘HIHAI’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea  plant named ‘HIHAI’, characterized by its relatively compact, upright and broadly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; strong and sturdy stems; freely and reblooming flowering habit; large and dense inflorescences with white-colored sterile flowers; and good post-production longevity.

Botanical designation: Hydrangea macrophylla.

Cultivar denomination: ‘HIHAI’.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATE APPLICATIONS

Title: Hydrangea Plant Named ‘HIFLA’

Applicant: Roy Robin van Dijk

Filed: Concurrently with the instant application

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR/APPLICANT & ASSIGNEE

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instant plant was filed by the Assignee, Hi Breeding B.V. of De Lier, The Netherlands, on Sep. 9, 2019, application number 2019/2201. Foreign priority is not claimed to this application.

The Inventor/Applicant and Assignee assert that no publications nor advertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distribution occurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application. Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor/Applicant and/or the Assignee. Inventor/Applicant and Assignee claim a prior art exemption under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior to the filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant, botanically known as Hydrangea macrophylla, commercially referred to as a mophead-type Hydrangea and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘HIHAI’.

The new Hydrangea plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in De Lier, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to create new sturdy and strong Hydrangea plants with attractive inflorescences and good postproduction longevity.

The new Hydrangea plant originated from a cross-pollination in March, 2013 of a proprietary selection of Hydrangea macrophylla identified as code number 1340, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Hydrangea macrophylla identified as code number 1014, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Hydrangea plant was discovered and selected as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in De Lier, The Netherlands in April, 2015.

Asexual reproduction of the new Hydrangea plant by terminal vegetative cuttings since June, 2016 in a controlled greenhouse environment in De Lier, The Netherlands has shown that the unique features of this new Hydrangea plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Hydrangea have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘HIHAI’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘HIHAI’ as a new and distinct Hydrangea plant:

-   -   1. Relatively compact, upright and broadly spreading plant         habit.     -   2. Freely branching habit.     -   3. Strong and sturdy stems.     -   4. Freely flowering habit.     -   5. Large and dense inflorescences with white-colored sterile         flowers.     -   6. Good post-production longevity.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of the female parent selection. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more compact than and not as         vigorous as plants of the female parent selection.     -   2. Stems of plants of the new Hydrangea are sturdier than stems         of plants of the female parent selection.     -   3. Inflorescences of plants of the new Hydrangea are more         durable than inflorescences of plants of the female parent         selection.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of the male parent selection. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of the male parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more compact than and not as         vigorous as plants of the male parent selection.     -   2. Stems of plants of the new Hydrangea are sturdier than stems         of plants of the male parent selection.     -   3. Inflorescences of plants of the new Hydrangea are more         durable than inflorescences of plants of the male parent         selection.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘HIFLA’, disclosed in a U.S. Plant Patent application filed concurrently. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘HIFLA’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea have smaller leaves than plants         of ‘HIFLA’.     -   2. Sterile flower sepals of plants of the new Hydrangea are         white in color whereas sterile flower sepals of plants of         ‘HIFLA’ are red purple in color.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can also be compared to plants of Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Wudu’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Hydrangea differed primarily from plants of ‘Wudu’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more compact than and not as         vigorous as plants of ‘Wudu’.     -   2. Inflorescences of plants of the new Hydrangea are more hardy         than inflorescences of plants of ‘Wudu’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the unique appearance of the new Hydrangea plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Hydrangea plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘HIHAI’ grown in a container.

The photograph at the top of the second sheet is a close-up view of a typical inflorescence of ‘HIHAI’, and the photograph at the bottom of the second sheet is a close-up view of typical leaves of ‘HIHAI’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used in the aforementioned photographs and in the following description were grown during the autumn in 14-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in De Lier, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typical of commercial Hydrangea production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 35° C., night temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 22° C. and lightly levels were about 4,000 lux for 16 hours per day. Plants of the new Hydrangea were pinched one time and were two years old when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Plants are not typically “blued” (treated with aluminum sulfate).

-   Botanical description: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘HIHAI’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, patent.—Proprietary selection of Hydrangea             macrophylla identified as code number 1340, not patented.         -   Male, or pollen, patent.—Proprietary selection of Hydrangea             macrophylla identified as code number 1014, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type cutting.—By vegetative terminal cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About twelve days at             temperatures about 22° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two weeks at             temperatures about 20° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About four             weeks at temperatures about 22° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 30 days             at temperatures about 19° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically             white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on             substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and             formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of             roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Moderately freely branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Relatively compact, upright, broadly             outwardly spreading and mounding plant habit; flattened             globular in overall shape; strong and sturdy stems;             moderately vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate;             about six months from propagation are required to produce a             finished flowering plant.         -   Plant height.—About 29.5 cm.         -   Plant diameter or area of spread.—About 43.6 cm. -   Lateral branch description:     -   -   Branching habit.—Freely branching habit with about nine             lateral branches per plant; pinching is not required, but             will enhance lateral branch development.         -   Length.—About 13.9 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 5 mm.         -   Internode length.—About 5.5 cm.         -   Strength.—Strong, sturdy.         -   Aspect.—About 60° from vertical.         -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous; fully developed, woody.         -   Color, developing.—Close to between 144A and 144B.         -   Color, fully developed.—Close to 144A; woody, close to N199B             and N199C.         -   Lenticels.—Density: Medium to dense. Length: About 1.5 mm.             Width: About 0.5 mm. Color: Close to 183A. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.         -   Length.—About 10.1 cm.         -   Width.—About 7.5 cm.         -   Shape.—Broadly ovate.         -   Apex.—Apiculate.         -   Base.—Short attenuate.         -   Margin.—Coarsely serrate.         -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Slightly rugose,             glabrous; glossy.         -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Moderately rugose,             glabrous; somewhat glossy.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to between             143B and 144A. Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to             144B. Fully developed leaves, upper surface: Slightly darker             than NN137A; venation, close to 144A. Fully developed             leaves, lower surface: Slightly lighter than 147B; venation,             close to 146D.         -   Petioles.—Length: About 2.4 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm.             Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous;             slightly glossy. Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth,             glabrous; slightly to moderately glossy. Color, upper and             lower surfaces: Close to 144A. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower type and habit.—Showy rotate sterile flowers and             small, inconspicuous rotate fertile flowers arranged on             mophead-type terminal panicles; panicles flattened globular             in shape; sterile flowers face upright to outwardly and             slightly drooping, and fertile flowers mostly upright.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Natural flowering season.—In the garden, plants flower             continuously from the late spring to late summer in The             Netherlands.         -   Flower longevity.—Good postproduction longevity; sterile             flowers maintain good substance for about six weeks on the             plant, sterile flowers persistent; fertile flowers last             about three days on the plant, fertile flowers not             persistent.         -   Quantity of flowers.—Freely flowering habit; about 150             sterile flowers per panicle and about 40 fertile flowers per             panicle.         -   Panicle height.—About 9.4 cm.         -   Panicle diameter.—About 15.7 cm.         -   Sterile flower buds.—Length: About 6 mm. Diameter: About             1.2 cm. Shape: Cup-shaped. Color: Close to 145B.         -   Fertile flower buds.—Length: About 2 mm. Diameter: About             2.5 mm. Shape: Flattened globular. Color: Close to 145A;             distally, close to 144A.         -   Sterile flower diameter.—About 3.6 cm.         -   Sterile flower depth (height).—About 1.7 cm.         -   Fertile flower diameter.—About 1 cm.         -   Fertile flower depth (height).—About 4 mm.         -   Petals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Four in a             single whorl. Length: About 3 mm. Width: About 1.5 mm.             Shape: Broadly ovate, concave. Apex: Acute. Base: Cuneate.             Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower             surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When opening,             upper and lower surfaces: Close to NN155D. Fully opened,             upper and lower surfaces: Close to NN155D; color does not             change with development.         -   Petals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Five in a             single whorl. Length: About 3.5 mm. Width: About 2 mm.             Shape: Ovate, moderately concave. Apex: Acute. Base:             Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower             surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When opening,             upper surface: Close to 157D. When opening, lower surface:             Close to 155C; distally, close to 157D. Fully opened, upper             and lower surfaces: Close to 155C; color does not change             with development.         -   Sepals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Typically             four or five in a single whorl. Length: About 1.8 cm. Width:             About 2.1 cm. Shape: Reniform to broadly rhomboidal;             slightly to moderately twisting. Apex: Obtuse to broad and             bluntly acute. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire; strongly and             coarsely undulate. Texture and luster, upper and lower             surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When opening,             upper and lower surfaces: Close to NN155D; distally, close             to 145A. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to NN155D;             distally, slightly darker than NN155D; with development,             distally becoming blotched and marbled with closer to 144A             to 144B. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to NN155D;             distally, close to 157D; with development, distally becoming             blotched and marbled with closer to 144A to 144C.         -   Sepals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Five in a             single whorl. Length: About 4 mm. Width: About 3 mm. Shape:             Broadly ovate to broadly obovate. Apex: Bluntly acute to             obtuse. Base: Broadly cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture and             luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte.             Color: When opening, upper and lower surfaces: Close to             NN155D strongly blotched and marbled with close to 144B to             144C. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to NN155D strongly             blotched and marbled with close to 144A to 144B; color does             not change with development. Fully opened, lower surface:             Close to NN155D strongly blotched and marbled with close to             144A to 144C; color does not change with development.         -   Pedicels, sterile flowers.—Length: About 2.1 cm. Diameter:             About 1.25 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About             40° from peduncle. Texture and luster: Densely pubescent;             matte. Color: Close to NN155C; proximally closer to 145C.         -   Pedicels, fertile flowers.—Length: About 8 mm. Diameter:             About 1 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 30°             from peduncle. Texture and luster: Moderately pubescent;             matte. Color: Close to 145C.         -   Reproductive organs, sterile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per             flower: Eight. Filament length: About 2 mm. Filament color:             Close to NN155D. Anther length: About 0.5 mm. Anther shape:             Broadly oblong. Anther color: Close to 155A. Pollen amount:             Moderate. Pollen color: Close to 157C. Pistils: Pistil             quantity per flower: Two or three. Pistil length: About             0.5 mm. Stigma shape: Club-shaped. Stigma color: Close to             NN155D. Style length: About 0.5 mm. Style color: Close to             NN155D. Ovary color: Close to 155A.         -   Reproductive organs, fertile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per             flower: Ten. Filament length: About 2 mm. Filament color:             Close to NN155D. Anther shape: Broadly oblong. Anther             length: About 0.5 mm. Anther color: Close to 155A. Pollen             amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close to 157C. Pistils:             Pistil quantity per flower: Four. Pistil length: About             0.5 mm. Stigma shape: Club-shaped. Stigma color: Close to             NN155D. Style length: About 2.5 mm. Style color: Close to             NN155D. Ovary color: Close to 145D.         -   Seeds.—To date, seed development has not been observed on             plants of the new Hydrangea. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: Under commercial production conditions,     plants of the new Hydrangea have not been observed to be resistant     to pathogens and pests common to Hydrangea plants. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Hydrangea have been shown     to be suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea plant named ‘HIHAI’ as illustrated and described. 